How about a Kershaw-Ohtani face-off in Classic? The lefty hopes not

LOS ANGELES -- Months removed from a storybook ending to his big league career, one of the greatest pitchers of his generation is coming out for an encore.

Clayton Kershaw will represent the U.S. in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, Team USA announced on Thursday. This will mark the Dodgers legend's first time participating in the Classic, as he had to withdraw from the 2023 edition due to insurance issues.

In an interview on MLB Network, Kershaw jokingly said he told USA manager Mark DeRosa that "I just want to be the insurance policy, you know, if anybody needs a breather or if they need me to pitch back-to-back-to-back or if they don't need me to pitch at all, I'm just there to be there. I just want to be part of this group.

"I learned a long time ago, you just want to be a part of great things, and this team seems like a really fun, awesome group."

Team USA's tournament begins on March 6 with Pool B play against Brazil at Daikin Park in Houston.

Kershaw, 37, went out as a champion after his Dodgers successfully defended their World Series title last year. In 18 Major League seasons in L.A., Kershaw established himself as an all-time great by winning three Cy Young Awards, an MVP Award and five ERA titles, as well as becoming the fourth left-hander to join the 3,000-strikeout club.

That's not to mention his three World Series rings. For a player like Kershaw, who values team accomplishments over his own, that's the crowning achievement of what should go down as a Hall of Fame career.

Kershaw's final Major League appearance was a significant one. He came on in a two-outs, bases-loaded situation in the 12th inning of a tied World Series Game 3 at Dodger Stadium. After an eight-pitch battle with Nathan Lukes, Kershaw secured an inning-ending groundout and walked off his home mound a hero for the final time.

Immediately following the Dodgers' World Series victory in seven games, Kershaw wasn't thinking much of what his post-playing days might hold, beyond being a dad and spending more time around his family. As it turns out, he has a little more left in him.

Kershaw said he received a call from DeRosa thinking that he wanted the lefty to be a part of the coaching staff, and actually didn't have thoughts about picking up a baseball again.

"I started throwing 10-12 days ago and it doesn't feel terrible, so I think I'll be OK," said Kershaw.

Team USA has unfinished business after falling to Samurai Japan in the championship game of the 2023 Classic, and general manager Michael Hill and DeRosa have assembled a formidable roster to contend for the title in '26.

With the likes of Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Logan Webb, Joe Ryan and Clay Holmes on the Team USA staff, Kershaw would appear unlikely to be used as a starter in the Classic. Though his days of being a big league ace are behind him, the Dodgers were bullish on Kershaw's ability to compete and get outs until the final days of his career. Just like in the last postseason, he should be available in any capacity his team needs.

And how about a potential matchup with his former teammate Shohei Ohtani? Kershaw said he'd be nervous.

"I think something will have gone terribly wrong if I have to pitch against Team Japan in the finals ... I think we got plenty of guys to get that guy out and not me," Kershaw said.

Here is what Team USA looks like so far, with final rosters set to be released in early February:

C: Cal Raleigh, Will Smith
1B: Bryce Harper
2B: Brice Turang
SS: Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson
3B: Alex Bregman, Ernie Clement
OF: Byron Buxton, Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Aaron Judge
DH: Kyle Schwarber
P: David Bednar, Clay Holmes, Griffin Jax, Clayton Kershaw, Nolan McLean, Mason Miller, Joe Ryan, Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Gabe Speier, Logan Webb